Universe Today
• Matthew Williams
NASA and Katalyst Space will attempt rendezvous and proximity operations between Katalyst’s LINK spacecraft and NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, following an ongoing commercial spacecraft attitude-control issue. The maneuver is intended to demonstrate capabilities that could support future on-orbit servicing and space exploration missions.
Commercial Space
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NASA and Katalyst Space will attempt rendezvous and proximity operations between Katalyst’s LINK spacecraft and NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, following an ongoing commercial spacecraft attitude-control issue. The maneuver is intended to demonstrate capabilities that could support future on-orbit servicing and space exploration missions.
High activity
SpaceX fired all 33 engines on the Super Heavy booster ahead of Starship’s 14th test flight. The mission is expected to mark the vehicle’s first attempt to reach orbit, making the static-fire milestone a key readiness check for the company’s launch campaign.
High activity
The European Space Agency has awarded the first contracts under its European Launcher Challenge, committing €543.6 million to three European rocket startups. The initiative is intended to broaden Europe’s launch options beyond Ariane 6 and Vega-C, expanding the region’s commercial launch ecosystem.
Airbus is considering selling its U.S. small-satellite manufacturing business as it reorganizes its space activities. The move coincides with plans to shift production of next-generation OneWeb satellites to France, potentially reshaping the group’s industrial footprint and approach to satellite manufacturing in the United States and Europe.
Indian space startup InspeCity has secured $10.5 million in a pre-Series A round to finance four planned on-orbit missions over the next 18 months. The funding signals continued private-sector investment in India’s emerging commercial space industry and expands the company’s near-term mission pipeline.
High activity
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the creation—or further study—of a U.S. Space Academy modeled on institutions serving the Air Force and Coast Guard. The proposed school would train personnel for the Space Force, NASA and the expanding civilian spaceflight industry.
Newly released video shows LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 rocket exploding during its first attempt to land the reusable first stage, offering a close look at the spectacle and the risks facing China’s emerging commercial launch sector as it develops orbital-class recovery capability.
Japan’s Astroscale is maintaining an investment strategy focused on securing an early lead in satellite debris removal, rendezvous and proximity operations, and other in-orbit services. The approach may come at the expense of profitability over the next one to two years as the company builds positions in emerging markets.
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